Christmas Spirit

In November 2018 Rich wrote a short film script - a Christmas themed story of grief and loss that was originally aimed as being an alternative John Lewis advert set in and around Leigh-on-Sea. Flash forward a year and after crowd-funding some capital and talking to a large charity and convincing director Andy Delaney to film and edit it it was finally released in December 2019.

Shot entirely on location in Leigh and Southend over one weekend in November it quickly became something of a labour of love. Rich and Andy were convinced there was something rather special about the story of a man who dealing with the loss of his wife is slowly raised out of his depression by small acts of kindness instigated by his 11 year old son. And judging by the response the public felt the same. Over 40,000 views across social media in days, a screening at Twenty One Gallery (not a dry eye in the house!) plus a daily public screening on Southend’s ‘Big Screen’ across the Christmas period meant it’s been a huge success.

The full cast also includes Charles Sharman-Cox, Olivia Sawbridge, Rachel Beauchamp, Dylan Tate and Jamie-Lee Pike. And features music by local artists MG Boulter, Asylums and Matthew Halsall.